Mailing a letter will soon cost more as the U.S. Postal Service raises the price of Forever stamps and other mailing services beginning July 12.
The price of a Forever stamp will increase by 4 cents, from 78 cents to 82 cents, as part of an average 4.8% increase in mailing service prices approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission.
A book of 20 Forever stamps will cost $16.40, up from $15.60.
Customers who already have Forever stamps do not need to purchase additional postage. The stamps remain valid regardless of future price increases because they are always worth the current First-Class Mail one-ounce letter rate.
When Forever stamps were introduced in 2007, they sold for 41 cents each. At the new rate of 82 cents, the price has doubled over the past 19 years.
In addition to the Forever stamp increase, several other postal rates will rise on July 12:
- Domestic postcards: 61 cents to 65 cents
- First-Class metered letters (1 ounce): 74 cents to 78 cents
- First-Class letters (1 ounce): 78 cents to 82 cents
- International postcards: $1.70 to $1.75
- International letters (1 ounce): $1.70 to $1.75
The additional-ounce charge for single-piece letters will remain unchanged at 29 cents.
The Postal Service said the rate increases are intended to help offset rising operating expenses and ongoing financial pressures, including higher labor and fuel costs and declining mail volume.
“In the midst of the severe financial crisis facing the Postal Service and continued rising operational costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools, including available regulatory pricing authority, to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public,” the agency said when announcing the proposed changes.
USPS filed its request for the rate adjustments on April 9, and the Postal Regulatory Commission approved the increases on May 27.
The latest increase follows the July 2025 price adjustment, when the cost of a Forever stamp rose from 73 cents to 78 cents.
Anyone planning to mail letters regularly may want to purchase Forever stamps before the new rates take effect on July 12. Stamps bought at today’s price will continue to cover the cost of mailing a standard one-ounce First-Class letter even after the increase.
Provided by Dallas Express
